More than 2 billion people worldwide live with some form of vision impairment. While some eye conditions are unavoidable, others are linked to lifestyle, and often, we don’t realize that our everyday habits could be putting our vision at risk.
Below are six common habits that may damage your eyesight over time, along with simple tips to help protect your long-term eye health.
1. Not Wearing Sunglasses
Sunglasses do more than reduce glare, they help protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can increase the risk of conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, eye cancer, and pterygium (a growth over the white part of the eye).
Before heading outdoors, even on a cloudy day, grab your sunglasses. Be sure they offer 100% UVA and UVB protection for the best defense.
2. Excessive Screen Time
The average person spends more than six hours a day in front of digital screens. Over time, this can lead to:
To ease the strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps relax the eye muscles and encourages natural tear production.
3. Rubbing Your Eyes
It may seem harmless, but frequent or forceful eye rubbing can cause more harm than relief. This habit can:
- Break tiny blood vessels, leading to dark circles and bloodshot eyes
- Transfer bacteria or viruses from your hands to your eyes
- Worsen irritation if there’s a foreign object present
Instead of rubbing, try lubricating eye drops or apply a cool compress to soothe discomfort safely.
4. Sleeping in Contact Lenses
It’s a common mistake, but falling asleep in contact lenses (unless specifically prescribed for overnight wear) can increase the risk of infection by six to eight times.
Contact lenses limit oxygen flow and tear circulation, both of which help your eyes flush out bacteria and stay healthy. Without that support, the cornea becomes more vulnerable.
Always remove your lenses before bed, even for a quick nap, unless your eye doctor has advised otherwise.
5. Skipping Eye Exams
If your vision seems unchanged, it might feel easy to put off routine exams. But eye exams do more than check your prescription, they help detect early signs of serious conditions, such as:
Many eye diseases progress silently in their early stages, and by the time symptoms appear, damage may already be permanent. Regular exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision over time.
6. Smoking
Most people know smoking harms the heart and lungs, but it also damages the eyes. Smokers are at increased risk for:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
If you smoke, quitting is one of the most impactful steps you can take to protect your eye health, not just your overall health.
Take Care of Your Eyes, One Habit at a Time
While these habits are common, they’re also reversible. With small daily changes and regular checkups, you can protect your eyesight and reduce your risk of long-term damage.
If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, our team at North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care is here to help. We offer comprehensive eye exams and personalized care to support your vision at every stage of life. Contact us today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your appointment.